Does anyone work FT but make regular use of unpaid parental leave?

[letsallbemermaids]

Considering returning to work after maternity leave full time or nearly full time but actually making use of unpaid parental leave. I've got two children and I've never used it before so I think I should have 36 weeks available (9 years at a rate of 4 weeks a year). If you do this, what sort of pattern do you do? Long summer holiday? Just more frequent weeks off?

@NavigatingAdolescence

You can’t do that.

Can't do what?

Spread the deductions like that.

@goodwinter

It's a shame this isn't more widely known about. Of course there will be people who can't afford to take unpaid leave, but there seem to be so many parents who have never heard of it.

My employer has dressed this up as an employee benefit!! I didn't know it was the bloody law!

My colleagues partners use this to help cover holidays. As we are self employed we don't use it. Not that I might Nd my colleagues having unpaid leave but as a GP practice we cannot get cover for them no matter how we try so can't let them have extra leave. Well we could but the patients would have to wait even longer for appointments.

@Musicaltheatremum from what I’ve read here I don’t think you can refuse if it’s requested.
It seems you can postpone and offer different dates but if this type of leave is requested you must allow it to be taken.

If you are self employed you don't qualify for unpaid parental leave anyway

I’ve used this to cover holidays when I was in my previous role (now self employed). Had a great employer who was very flexible anyway but this worked well for managing child care when there was no holiday clubs available (too young). And also, I wanted to spend more time with them. I think I used three weeks per year.

Fair play to you op
I work in HR and parental leave is very rarely used in my experience

@Figgygal

Fair play to you op I work in HR and parental leave is very rarely used in my experience

Do you think this is because it's not well known about it being an option?

I have used this for four years running. It's great. The only thing is, you need to have been at the organisation for at least a year.